News Summary
The Bristol City Council has approved a revised operating agreement with Boyd Sports and Bristol City Schools for Tod Houston Field, which will become the home of the Bristol State Liners baseball team. Boyd Sports will pay an annual fee of $25,000 and invest $2 million in a new stadium. Bristol City Schools will contribute $1.5 million. Renovations are set to minimize impact on local sports schedules, and city officials expect enhanced economic activity from the new facility.
Bristol, Tennessee – The Bristol City Council has officially approved an updated operating agreement with Boyd Sports and Bristol City Schools for Tod Houston Field, which is set to become the home of the Bristol State Liners baseball team. This decision follows previous discussions in the past year focused on finding new revenue sources for the city.
Under the new lease agreement, Boyd Sports is committed to paying the city an annual fee of $25,000. This is a significant increase from the original agreement, which stipulated a payment of $15,000 yearly over a span of 15 years. In addition, Boyd Sports will invest approximately $2 million into the construction of a new stadium at the Tod Houston Field site.
Bristol City Schools will support the project with a contribution of $1.5 million, ensuring that the renovated field will benefit the city, the school system, and Boyd Sports. Following the renovations, the field will continue to serve as the home ground for Tennessee High School’s baseball team and will be available for various special events hosted by the city.
The upcoming Appalachian League season is slated to begin on June 5th, with renovations to the field designed to be completed in a phased manner to minimize impact on Tennessee High’s baseball schedule for the 2026 season. In a notable shift, the Bristol State Liners played their home games in Greeneville during the 2024 season and are scheduled to play in Johnson City for the entire 2025 season while the new home is under construction.
Bristol city officials express optimism that the new facility will enhance local economic activity by attracting visitors for games and events. Boyd Sports, which owns several teams within the Appalachian League, also operates the Knoxville Smokies, Johnson City Doughboys, Greeneville Flyboys, and the Elizabethton River Riders, supporting a robust minor league baseball presence in the region.
The decision to build a new stadium at this location not only signifies a step forward for the Bristol State Liners but also marks a collaborative effort among municipal stakeholders to enhance the local infrastructure and community engagement through sports, thus laying a foundation for future growth and improvement in Bristol.
With the new agreement and investment in place, the City Council aims to revitalize Tod Houston Field, establishing it as a premier venue for baseball and other community events while preserving its historical significance in the area. As preparations for the 2026 season begin, interest in the project is expected to continue growing, with high hopes for economic and social benefits stemming from the city’s newest venture.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Bristol City Council Approves Enhanced Agreement for Tod Houston Field
Daniel Hicks Caps Baseball Career with Home Run
Bristol Schools Partner in Upgrading Tod Houston Field
24th Annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Set
Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Struggles Against Auburn Tigers
Elizabethton Launches First Friday Summer Series with ‘Adventure Vibes’
King University Tornado Baseball Concludes Season with Loss
Bristol Schools Partner with Boyd Sports for Field Renovations
Bristol Schools Collaborate on Field Renovations
King University’s Softball Season Ends Against Emmanuel
Additional Resources
- WCYB
- Wikipedia: Bristol State Liners
- WJHL
- Google Search: Tod Houston Field
- Supertalk 92.9
- Google Scholar: Boyd Sports
- WJHL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Appalachian League
- WCYB
- Google News: Bristol City Council
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
